Destinations HD Travel Blog

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend! Instead of taking a break from "labor," my husband and I decided it was a good idea to tackle some house projects we were putting off. It was very productive, and I feel so free by removing items off our check-list, but mostly I just feel sore :)

With all the hard work, I started daydreaming about what our Fall/Winter trip will be this year... and I'm thinking a nice relaxing beach might be the answer (after this labor-intensive weekend anyhow)! This lead me to my topic about finding the right resort to fit your expectations, as they are not created equal, even though on paper it looks like they are similar...

Think for a moment about the last time you wanted a bag of potato chips. Maybe you went to the store with your heart set on getting your favorite brand, but the store missed its shipment and you got stuck with another brand. You ate them, but they weren’t what you were hoping for in terms of quality and expectations.

Just like those two bags of chips were not created equal, the all-inclusive resorts available are not created equal either. In fact, the 4-star property on Avenue A in town could be completely different and perhaps even lower quality that another so-called 4-star property in the same town (even the same street!).

So, how can you keep yourself from getting stuck at a subpar “4-star” property that is 3-stars at best?! Let's find out...

Do Your ResearchWe live in a day and age where people are not afraid to tell the truth about the places they are staying. In fact, many people will post images and lengthy write ups about the resorts and properties they visit. They share the good, the bad, and the exceptionally awful. Where a resort can hire a photographer that stages one room for a perfect shot for their website, review sites let you see the gritty photos that keep it real.

However, don’t rely solely on reviews and take them with a grain-of-salt. You can’t truly compare apples to apples on experiences, since you don’t know the person writing the review and what their expectations were going in. Maybe they weren’t well informed of the location or quality of food/service, so they had something else in mind and were disappointed from their experience they had the prior year when they stayed at a nicer property.

It’s also important to consider the source in terms of who gave the hotel you are considering those 4-stars? Was it a known agency that issued them that honor? More and more, hotels and resorts in some parts of the world are dancing on the line of ethics by having no-name, or unknown agencies dub them “quality hotels” when they are not.

Consider the Brand If you’re like most people, you have preferred brands that you use on a regular basis. Why? Because you expect a certain level of quality from them. Like those chips I mentioned earlier. You want that brand because you're used to what you will receive when you buy it. It’s often the same for resorts. Reputable hotel and resort brands maintain specific features for quality control purposes.

However, (there's another "but" coming) this isn’t always the case. Many brands have different owners and management companies across destinations, and while the concept is similar, the experiences may differ. The design of the hotels can be unique and while some have swim-up bar in the pool, private beach area or 24/7 premium coffee shop on property, the same branded resort down the street, may not have those options based on the layout of their property. The food quality can also vary between destinations, as it depends on how it’s grown locally and what they feed their plants/animals. The staff experience can also differ based on cultural customs.

Therefore, you really need to understand the brands, in order to know that depending on destination, you can expect certain features to be available across the board. And, good or bad, brands get reputations for a reason.

Eliminate the Guesswork - Hire a Travel Agent Lost on how to choose the perfect all-inclusive resort for your needs and budget? That’s where a reputable travel agent like me comes in. We give you the truth about which properties have the best rooms, food, linens, alcohol, etc… Don’t get stuck in a so called 4-star resort with a room that looks more like a converted closet from your grandmother’s house, when you should be in an oasis that feels like heaven. You deserve better than that!

When you are ready to find the perfect resort to fit your style - call Destinations HD (913) 244-9195! We help match you to best all-inclusive resort for your needs, desires, expectations and budget. We take the time to listen and help you plan your ultimate getaway. ​You can't return a bad vacation!Experiences Await...